Transesterification of dimethyl carbonate and phenol to diphenyl carbonate catalyzed by samarium diiodide

Samarium diiodide was found to be a novel and efficient catalyst for the transesterification of phenol and DMC. Compared with other catalysts, samarium diiodide can reach high activity with a very low catalyst amount. When the reaction was carried out between 150 and 180 °C, with a molar ratio of phenol to DMC of 1:1, a reaction time 10 h, a catalyst amount 0.2% (molar ratio to phenol), the conversion of phenol was 52.8%, the yield of MPC and DPC was 26.5% and 22.8%, respectively.

Graphical abstractSamarium diiodide was found to be a novel and efficient catalyst for the synthesis of DPC by transesterification of phenol and DMC. Compared with other catalysts, samarium diiodide can reach high activity with a very low catalyst amount (0.2 mol%) and can enhance the conversion of phenol greatly. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide